A medical device that helps lung cancer patients breath more easily during radiotherapy; water resistant helmet visors for motorcyclists; a smart phone app for the fashion conscious which uses facial and clothing recognition technology- great ideas but will they ever see the commercial light of day?

This week, these and other start-up concepts will compete in the University of Sydney usiness School's prestigious Sydney Genesis Start Up Competition before a panel of judges able to recognise "real world" potential.

Established in 2008, the competition, ponsored by the international serviced and virtual office provider, Servcorp, this year attracted 38 team entries in two categories - commercial and social or not for profit start-ups. Eight finalists will compete on Friday for a number of cash and in kind prizes and a chance to attend the European Innovation Academy.

"Genesis supports world changing ideas by encouraging students to innovate, o become entrepreneurs and to establish their own businesses," says Coordinator Cayetana Martinez. "It also provides practical networking opportunities."

A number of workshops also assisted articipants to apply commercial and social theory to their businesses.

2014 Finalists

Healthy Start (social)Healthy Start is a social business which aims to promote equity in access to proper food and nutrition through provision of healthy recess and lunch products for children with busy parents.

Breathe WellBreathe Well has developed a nique medical device to improve radiation treatment of lung cancer.

CsquaredMCsquaredM is a social app that helps fashion conscious individuals dress using clothing information and images shared by friends, designers and retailers using facial and clothing recognition technology.

HealthPlatform.ioThe HealthPlatform.io team is engineering edical devices for smartphones; health apps for patients & doctors; and exposing an API for developers to consume. Its partnerships cover 21.5 thousand stakeholders through UNSW's Faculty of Medicine and Medicare Local.

Research SkilledResearch Skilled is an online learning platform that helps research students fill their skill gaps and succeed in their studies

Food Pod (social)Food Pod puts local farmers and groups of locals in contact to simplify access to local products and guarantee a fair return for the local farmer.

Hydrophobic PlasticsHydrophobic Plastics is developing a water resistant helmet visor that will give motorcyclists' enhanced visibility and safety during rainfall conditions.

Pledger (social)Pledger is an online platform which ensures that charities and SMEs together on the basis of aligned values, geography, industry and desired level of commitment.